Braylon Mullins scored 22 points and Na’jai Hines added 20 to lead No. 4 UConn past Ohio State 84-68 on Friday night.
The Huskies improved to 4-0 on the season, as “Mullins and Hines lead No. 4 UConn to 84-68 win over Ohio State” according to Yahoo Sports.
Mullins hit five 3-pointers before leaving the game in the second half with an apparent injury, while Hines recorded 17 of his points after the intermission.
Freshman Colben Landrew contributed 12 points in his first start for the Huskies, and Silas Demary Jr. added 10 points with nine assists.
UConn had to overcome a resilient Buckeyes squad that erased a 14-point deficit to lead five times early in the second half.
Jimmie Williams scored 17 points for Ohio State, and John Mobley Jr. added 16 points for the visitors, who fell to 2-2.
The Huskies regained control when Mullins scored five consecutive points followed by a 3-pointer from Jayden Ross with 13:57 remaining.
UConn never trailed again after that stretch.
The Huskies played without starting forward Nik Khamenia, who is sidelined for several weeks due to a foot injury, as noted in “UConn’s Nik Khamenia injury report” released by the Associated Press.
Mullins fell to the court with 6:07 left in the game and hobbled off to a stationary bike.
The team is monitoring his status as they look toward their next matchup.
Ohio State coach Jake Diebler will now prepare his team to host Prairie View A&M on Monday.
UConn faces a significant challenge next, as the Huskies are scheduled to play at No. 12 Arizona on Wednesday.
The Huskies previously built a double-digit lead in the first half but suffered a scoring drought, failing to record a field goal in the final 4:18 before the break.
A late 3-pointer by Mobley pulled the Buckeyes within 42-40 at halftime.
The game remained competitive until the final minutes of the second half.